The Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh, instituted in 1735, is widely recognised as the oldest golf club in the world; the Society is justifiably proud of its golfing heritage, traditions and standards.

The Society is a traditional members’ Club where smart attire is expected at all times. As one of the finest golf clubs in Scotland, we ask members (including youths and juniors), their guests and visitors to adhere to the following standards so that everybody may enjoy “The Burgess Experience”.

The Dress Code as outlined below cannot hope to cover all circumstances but the overriding principles are “smart attire and high standards at all times”.

On the Golf Course:

Players on the course are expected to maintain a high standard of dress and are required to wear smart golfing attire with spike, dimple or textured soled golf shoes.

• All trousers must be tailored, with no external pockets
• All shirts must have collars or polo necks and be worn tucked inside trousers or shorts
• The wearing of tailored shorts, with no external pockets, is permitted with long or ankle socks
• Ladies are required to wear conventional golf attire.
• Players are politely reminded not to wear any of the following:
• Jeans, tracksuits, shell suits
• Vests, T-shirts, hooded sweaters, rugby or football shirts

In the Clubhouse:

• Smart casual golfing attire is expected in the Spike Bar's, Edinburgh Room, and Snooker Room
• Smart Casual is expected in the dining room Monday to Friday.
• Tailored shorts are allowed in the Spike Bar
• Golf shoes are permitted in the Locker Room and in the Spike Bar only
• Trainers, sandals and flip flops are not allowed anywhere in the Clubhouse
• Items of clothing not permitted on the golf course are also not permitted in the Clubhouse
• Jackets and ties are required at all times in the Members’ Bar (Exceptions during pandemic)
• Jackets and ties are required in the Dining Room on Sunday lunchtimes. Saturday Dinners are smart but casual however it is expected that a jacket be worn and please note that members' bar is always jacket and tie.
• Head wear should not be worn in the Clubhouse
• Wet clothing and waterproofs should not be worn in the Bars or in the Dining Room; please leave wet clothing in the drying room.

In the Car Parks:

• Please do not carry golf clubs/trolleys through the Main Entrance at the front of the Clubhouse. Please use the Players and Visitors entrance.
• Members, guests and visitors are requested not to change in the car parks.

Use of Mobile Devices:

Members and guests are welcome to use devices to access the public wi-fi throughout the Clubhouse but we would ask that devices are engaged in silent mode and not used for telephone calls.

We would also like to make you aware of, and ask you to accept, prior to using the RBGS wi-fi, our terms and conditions of use, which are displayed with the password (burgess123qp) on the noticeboard.

We ask that mobile phones are engaged in silent mode on the golf course and are not used for telephone calls - except for medical emergencies.

Maintenance of the Golf Course:

Please remember the three ‘R’s’

• Replace divots,
• Repair pitchmarks
• Rake bunkers.

Please leave the golf course in the condition you would expect to find it!

Speed of Play:

Golf etiquette requires you to call through players if they are being held up. Please adopt the “READY GOLF" approach to ensure there are no undue delays in the pace of play.

It is the responsibility of members to ensure their guests adhere to the Society’s expected standards. The General Manager and the Society Professional will ensure, in advance that visitors receive the relevant information on dress code and standards.

Thank you for your understanding and acceptance of these standards which are intended to ensure all those who come to the oldest golf club in the world, have an enjoyable experience.

RBGS Council
May 2021